Having been away from home for several days, I was glad to get back to my boys. There’s something about routine and familiarity that can cushion an aching soul from the ups and downs of life.
However, I was not glad to get back to laundry.
While I was away, a strange thing happened. Mad Dog became slightly obsessed with keeping the house clear of dirty laundry. He even promptly threw the boys’ swim wear in the washer when they returned from their lesson.
I don’t know how long he will continue this obsession.
1. Champagne mojitos are still the way to go. Trust me, I tried every variety known to man such as frozen, straight up, fruit flavored and what have you. The golden (and delicious!) standard of the original Royal Carribean champagne mojito cannot be beat.
our first day aboard with Mad Dog's parents. They thankfully enjoy champagne mojitos as much as we do!
2. Getting your hair braided in Coco Cay, Bahamas is just as much fun today as having it done in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico when Mad Dog and I got engaged eight years ago.
3. When you are a Mom who rarely gets time away from her kids, something as simple as walking down a street with no Hotwheels, animal crackers or wipes in your purse, or better yet, absolutely no purse at all, is extremely liberating. It almost feels like your are breaking the natural laws of the world and it feels fantastic.
4. Sometimes, after a few hours have slipped by, you may find that you kinda of sorta miss the kids you left at home. This twingey guilt can be quickly remedied with another round of champagne mojitos (see Lesson 1).
5. This vacation helped solidify exactly how much Mad Dog must love me. He willingly posed for so many pictures, it is possible we may have set a ship record. For a man who greatly dislikes being photographed, he obviously loves the woman he is posing with. Thank you, Mad Dog!
one of the several posed shots taken by the ship's photographers
6. This cruise was the best I have ever experienced. I have several theories as to why this is. The most likely being that if you have achieved a level of happiness and acceptance in the life that you are leaving behind for a few days, it only multiplies in a setting of rest and relaxation. And this time, I was more content than ever to return home and continue my adventures of motherhood.
It’s good to be home and even better to hug my boys.
It’s that time of year again. Mad Dog and I are setting off on our annual cruise. It’s amazing how much more patience you have for your children and laundry when you know in a few days you will be sailing across the ocean. Oh, and like I told my good friend, the prospect of unlimited champagne mojitos helps, too!
I will return next week and I’m sure I will have some stories to share. Thanks for reading my little blog. I appreciate it.
Bon Voyage!
On South Beach in Miami where our first cruise launched.
Do you ever wonder if your partner understands how hard you work to make everything seem easy?
How when he may (or may not) reach for clothes for the kids, they are clean, neatly organized and always at hand? This goes for karate uniforms, too.
Or, when he walks in the door, the kids are playing with each other in a respectful manner (someone had to teach them this and they need almost daily reminders of how to continue to do so), the house is clean (relatively speaking) and dinner is cared for (most nights).
And, what about all the learning these kids need to do that you have to help them with? Eye appointments and doctors visits, too?
Believe me, I’m just getting started here.
Now, before you stop reading in protest Mad Dog, let me flip it around.
Do you ever feel like your partner understands how hard you work to provide for her and the kids?
How about all the long hours spent alone in an office (with no windows, mind you!) on endless phone calls trying to accomplish seemingly impossible business feats and doing so while making it all look easy?
What about trying to manage a team that is scattered across the nation that looks to you for leadership and expects nothing but excellence from you?
Or the myriad of calamities and unexpected projects that pile up on your already overtaxed work schedule?
And what about the time spent away from your boys? You know they are incredible and they grow by leaps and bounds every day, and you have to miss some of the really important and downright cool stuff.
You are handling all these things and doing it well even at great personal cost. Does your partner get this?
Really?
I don’t know that I do.
Sometimes I’m so focused on feeling underappreciated in my own corner of the world that it begins to feel like a part-time job.
Are life and relationships ever going to be exactly how you want them to be?
Nope.
What can I do today to take care of myself, give myself the recognition I desire and honor and appreciate my partner in the process?
Full Speed: I promise to be the bestest boy in all the land.
Considering his initial behavior at our New Year’s lunch out by the ocean, this goal may be slightly on the lofty side.
Mad Dog: To get fit and have more patience with my boys.
First of all, I think he looks fantastic as is and secondly, I’m thinking he wanted to add ‘and more patience with my wife’. Since he was speaking this goal directly to me, he was wise to leave that part out.
Me: To have more gratitude for what I already have.
Case in point...
That’s the great thing about motherhood, it gives you many reasons to be grateful. I’m serious, mostly…, and no, I haven’t fallen and hit my head (at least not badly).
These are some of the lessons I learned throughout 2010.
1. No matter how much you dream it or wish it, you are not in control of your life or your children. It seems the more I try to micromanage Full Speed’s and T.Puzzle’s behavior, the more likely I am to fail and be miserable in the process. Sometimes you have to let go and let them be who they are, even if that means they act wild sometimes, forget their manners and generally drive you and your spouse nuts.
2. On good days, motherhood is about the balance between caring for the needs of your kids and caring for your own needs. On bad days, motherhood is about survival. All you can do is survive until your children’s bedtime, chalk it up to a bad day and start the adventure anew the next day.
3. When the bad stuff happens, it’s your best opportunity to learn.
4. I am extremely lucky to have someone like Mad Dog as my children’s father. Kids love to emulate what they see, and fortunately for me, this means they see love, respect and generosity as a way of life.
Full Speed puts his hands in his pockets just like Mad Dog on our day at the zoo.
5. Frustration doesn’t get you very far. Acceptance, an action plan and forgiveness go a whole lot further in this world.
6. Having kids allows you to remember your own sense of fun. It’s also a great excuse to wear silly hats when you ring in the new year.
Having been away from home for several days, I was glad to get back to my boys. There’s something about routine and familiarity that can cushion an aching soul from the ups and downs of life. 
